essay

Paper One

Draft is due on Tuesday, October 3 midnight, for peer review. Completing peer review effectively will be worth 5% of the 20% paper one grade.

Final draft is due on Tuesday, October 17 midnight. Submit via the anti-plagiarism turnitin link on Bb. Please be sure to review the penalties for plagiarism on the syllabus.

Parameters for Paper One

· See the grading requirements from the English Department on the syllabus

· 20% of course grade (5% for peer review which will be evaluated carefully by me and graded)

· 1000-1500 words in length, typed, double spaced. Please make sure your paper is at least 1000 words (the highest grade you could receive for less than 1000 words is a C+).

· 12 point font, Times New Roman or Garamond, 1” margins

· I'm looking for evidence of critical thought, not a summary of the reading.

· Correct use of quotations (MLA)

· Correct grammar and spelling

· You are not required to use additional sources beyond the primary text (The God of Small Things is the primary text)

· Please limit the number of quotes in your paper. A paper full of quotes is about the same as a summary of the reading. Quoting should enter in if the quote is important in developing and supporting the point you are developing.

· Late Work policy—there will be no exceptions. A paper handed in late will be marked down ½ grade. After one week I will no longer accept the paper.

Please see the document “Citations and MLA” under Additional Helpful Handouts in Blackboard Course Documents for additional help on using quotes in your papers.

Topic/Points of Departure Write about something that interests you. It makes such a big difference in how the words come to the page when you are actually interested in your topic. Refer to lecture notes, DB comments, DB questions for topic ideas that can serve as springboards for your paper. If you want to run a paper topic by me, feel free to do so via email. I’m happy to help you brainstorm. I want you to do well!

Audience and summary The audience you should probably have in mind while writing is you, me, and the rest of the people in the class. Since we have all read the book, you should spend no more than a sentence or two to provide summary or description of a passage character, etc. In addition, any summary or description should somehow reflect what is at the heart of your response paper.

Overview

In the introduction, you should set up what your central point or thesis is clearly. Keep in mind this central point is the heart of the matter that will run throughout the paper. In other words, you do not simply present a central point in your introduction. You present evidence and analysis about that central point throughout the paper.

The evidence should present examples, descriptions, or quotations from the primary text. The analysis should explain why your evidence supports your central point or thesis. You will weave evidence and analysis throughout your Paper.

You should have a concluding paragraph. I would rather have more analysis than a conclusion that summarizes what you’ve already said.

Other tips about writing your paper:

· You should avoid a weaker focus for your paper. Work to dig deep into your central point throughout the essay. Consider that taking on a more challenging idea will give you more to dig into.

· Your writing should be clear; use "correct" usage. Grammar and overall clarity will be part of your evaluation. I do not give out A grades to papers with spelling or grammar errors.

· You should be conscious of syntax and diction. Make every word count, and cut or revise any words or phrases that aren't doing important work for what is at the heart of the matter for you. However, this kind of revision for conciseness should take place only after you have fully explored your ideas, the best ways of communicating them, and the best means of persuading your audience that they are true/plausible. First get your ideas down, then put them as effectively as possible, and only then revise for length, precision, and conciseness.